The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other

The Circle of the Corrupt Officials; the Devils Mauling Each Other by William Blake; Harry Hoehn is a powerful example of British printmaking from the period of 1826 to 1850. Classified as an engraving restrike, this work interprets an intense, morally charged scene, drawing upon the highly imaginative and deeply spiritual themes characteristic of William Blake’s final illustrative projects. The dual artist attribution reflects the complex nature of its creation: the visionary concept belongs to Blake, while the physical execution of this specific print in 1827 was carried out by the engraver Harry Hoehn, likely utilizing or reinterpreting the original plates shortly after Blake’s death.

The subject matter, implied by the title, visually explores the terrifying consequences of avarice and political sin, depicting chaotic, infernal figures locked in self-destructive conflict within a demonic circle. Hoehn’s technical skill as an engraver was vital in ensuring the preservation and circulation of Blake’s stark, visionary aesthetic among a new generation of artists and patrons. The composition emphasizes intense contrast and highly stylized, musculature forms, maintaining the unique, often apocalyptic visual language championed by Blake.

As an 1827 restrike, this print contributes significantly to the understanding of how Blake’s influential visual language was disseminated to a wider audience through commercial prints in the mid-19th century. The creation of such prints allowed Blake’s powerful indictment of corruption to reach beyond elite circles. Today, this important example of British graphic art resides in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Due to its age and cultural significance, this work is frequently found in the public domain, making high-resolution reproductions of these historically important prints widely accessible for academic study and appreciation.